County candidates running for election in the June primary faced off at a type of mega forum Wednesday night at Jelly Belly Candy Co. in Fairfield.

Those running for the District 4 seat on the Board of Supervisors and Solano Sheriff/Coroner were quizzed during a question-and-answer format, while those running unopposed gave brief statements on their candidacy.

Realtors, the Solano County Farm Bureau and labor groups, among others, submitted the questions for the event, moderated by Lori Wilson, vice mayor of Suisun City.

Minnema said he is determined to “restore the promise Solano County once had” and refuses to be “bogged down” by staff recommendations.

He referenced the “Our Town 20/20” initiative he brought forward as a Dixon city councilman, and the Local Opportunity Waiver, which exempts Dixonites from paying the initial business license fee.

Vasquez pointed to his experience, commitment and engagement, and said serving on the board also comes with many other committees, boards and commissions that you must be prepared to attend.

There are projects that take years to implement, such as bringing ICON Aircraft to Vacaville or convincing Superior Farms to stay in California, he said.

Lazaro, who has 30 years experience working in county government, said in her closing remarks to imagine standing before a jury and not being allowed to ask questions or present evidence.

“If you think this doesn’t happen in Solano County, you’re greatly mistaken,” she said.

McMakin said she lives out in the watershed and is committed to the land and agriculture that is part of Solano County’s landscape.

She has worked in technology for 20 years, government for ten years and is also an entrepreneur.

“I’m ready to serve, it’s a position that I believe is in need of fresh vision, people who aren’t in it for the same old, same old,” she said. “Times are a-changing.”

In the sheriff’s race, Sheriff’s Deputy Daryl Snedeker and Fairfield Police Lt. Dan Marshall are challenging Sheriff Tom Ferrara, who has been in office six years.

The sheriff’s office must evolve to face issues such as homelessness, mental health and drug addiction, Snedeker said, and jail reform is needed.

“We all know that the status quo isn’t working,” he said.

Passing down the sheriff’s job has limited their ability to evolve, he said in his closing remarks.

Ferrara, however, said, “I think we do an outstanding job.”

There are issues in the county that need to be addressed, he admitted.

“I am scared to death of what’s coming down from the state next,” he said, referring to inmates released from state prison and certain crimes changed from felonies to misdemeanors.

He said he thought it best to have an “experienced known leader” to lead that fight.

Marshall said he works in the county seat, and is experienced in working on mental health, homelessness and the continuum of care for the county.

Recidivism is a challenge the sheriff’s office is going to continue to face, he said, because jails are becoming the new Level 1 and 2 of the state prison. He proposed rehabilitation through labor to give inmates a focal point and pride.

Candidates who are currently running unopposed in the races for District Attorney, Assessor/Recorder, Treasurer/Tax Collector/County Clerk, Auditor-Controller and Superintendent of Schools each briefly presented what they have done and what they plan to do if re-elected.

So did Solano County District 3 Supervisor Jim Spering, who currently has no challengers. He pointed to his work addressing transportation, seniors in poverty and homelessness and housing in the county.

District Attorney Krishna Abrams said it’s not just a job for her — she is passionate about what they do to make sure victims always have a voice and cases are tried fairly and ethically.

Her office has increased the number of victim advocates, opened the Courage Center for children who have been sexually or physically abused, as well as worked on kids’ court, elder abuse prosecution and the cold case unit that recently solved the Clark “Tosho” Toshiro Handa 1984 abduction case.

Assessor/Recorder Marc Tonnesen said his office has made a number of positive changes, including streamlining several processes for businesses electronically. The same process will soon be available for recordings as well.

Treasurer Charles Lomeli said his goals are to improve services for the taxpayers and safeguard the $1.1 billion investment portfolio the county maintains.

Auditor-Controller Simona Padilla-Scholtens will not be seeking re-election, rather, her assistant for the last 12 years, Phyllis Taynton, is running for the office.

Taynton, a CPA who has worked 28 years with this office, has the endorsement of Padilla-Scholtens.

“We are your fiscal watchdogs and we take that seriously,” Taynton said.

Rounding out the unopposed candidates was Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson, who said she has spent the past year listening to the community.

She is working toward preserving the region’s economic vitality by providing job readiness and training programs, school safety and a fiscally solvent school system.

For more coverage of the Solano Forum, check The Reporter’s Friday edition, or thereporter.com later tomorrow.